Simultaneous determinations of metabolic and hormonal responses, heart rate, temperature and oxygen uptake in running rats

Abstract

In exercise studies in rats it is necessary to introduce a 20 min pre-test period, during which unspecific stress responses disappear. This pre-test period cannot be replaced by "habituation runs" on 3 preceding days. Furthermore, using rats, running speed rather than inclination has to be changed in order to establish physiologically significant differences in work intensity. The chamber makes it possible to carry out sophisticated studies of adaptations to exercise of a wide range of intensities in untrained rats and to relate the responses to VO2.